Movie - Creed (7½/10)

The Rocky movies, like Star Wars, is another franchise I never got into until late – till Balboa in 2006 in this case.It was interesting seeing another character being added to the Rocky legend mix. I still detest boxing, but of course as I discovered a few years back, this franchise is more about family, loyalty and giving your very best – all close to my heart.This time the story goes with Rocky’s friend and competition partner. Apollo has died some decades ago and now his illegitimate son surfaces, having travelled his journey via youth custody. Apollo’s widow takes him in and he starts a privileged life that after a while doesn’t sit well with him. He’s willing to throw it all away for a chance to fight. So he leaves California and turns to the very much retired boxer-turned restaurateur Rocky Bilbao over in Philadelphia for help.Before I’d ever seen a Rocky film, I found myself in Philadelphia while in New York c2005 and upon mentioning this to my family back home, everyone told me to go up the Rocky steps. I had never heard of this iconic structure in this already historic city.It was strange to see a stereotypical Liverpool on the big screen, courtesy of Creed junior’s (they nicknamed him Hollywood) first opponent. Other than that, Creed is a pretty good instalment. It's fun to see Rocky taking Creed jr through his un-orthodox training methods involving chickens too.The only let down was the film’s other audience. This was one of those Cineworld experiences marred by the number of people opening using their phone and making unwelcome noises. Is this a film that people of a certain (much younger) generation feel they have to watch but aren’t really bothered about it? Stop spoiling it for the rest of us!7½/10Smile factor 7/10